By Queen Kunde
Founder of Adorable Foundation International (AFI), Princess Ada Okeke Amam, has called on Nigerian youths to reject drug abuse and embrace responsible living, warning that substance abuse remains a major driver of crime, insecurity and the destruction of young lives across the country.
Princess Amam made the call on Thursday in Abuja during a press briefing organised by AFI as part of its Societal Awareness Campaign Against Drug Abuse (ASACADA) to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Addressing journalists, stakeholders and youth advocates, the AFI founder stressed that the fight against drug abuse requires a collective effort involving government agencies, parents, schools, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media.
According to her, insecurity and many social vices can be traced to the influence of drugs on young people.
“If there is no drug abuse, there will be less insecurity. At times, you see people taking other people’s lives not on their own will, but under the influence of something. The influence of drugs is destroying lives and communities,” she said.
Princess Amam explained that AFI is working closely with relevant government agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Police Force, to intensify awareness campaigns targeted at young people.
“A lot of people have died because they were not aware. Awareness is very important. Through government support and partnerships, we are strengthening ourselves to educate the public and save lives,” she stated.
Expressing concern over the growing prevalence of drug abuse among young Nigerians, she said statistics indicating that about 14.3 million Nigerians abuse drugs should be a source of concern for all stakeholders.
“Our youths are said to be the future of tomorrow, but what future do they have if drugs continue to destroy their lives? That is where we come in – fighting against drug abuse and raising awareness,” she said.
The AFI founder noted that ASACADA, which stands for Awareness Campaign Against Drug Abuse, was designed to engage young people using innovative approaches, including beauty pageantry and youth ambassadors.
She explained that beauty queens have become effective advocates in AFI’s outreach programmes because they attract the attention of students and young people.
“How do you get the interest of the youth? How do you get them to listen? Sometimes, when a queen speaks to students, they pay attention. They see someone they admire and realise that success can be achieved without abusing drugs,” she said.
Princess Amam disclosed that AFI has conducted extensive school outreach programmes in partnership with educational authorities and law enforcement agencies.
“The Ministry of Education gave us schools to visit. We have continued to create awareness because parents, teachers, religious leaders, government institutions and journalists all have roles to play in protecting our youths,” she added.
She urged young Nigerians to become ambassadors of change and carry the anti-drug message to their peers.
“Nigeria cannot move forward without the youth. Don’t let drugs take over your future. Carry this message forward if you truly want to help Nigeria,” she said.
Recalling her participation at a United Nations event, Princess Amam said she challenged global leaders to pay greater attention to the dangers of drug abuse among young people.
“I told them that if we do not talk about the youth and their wellbeing, future generations will continue to suffer from drug abuse. We must place the youth at the centre of our discussions,” she said.
Also speaking at the briefing, AFI’s outgoing anti-drug campaign ambassador, Ms. Divine Innocent of Paul’s University, Awka, Anambra State, highlighted the organisation’s achievements in community engagement and youth mobilisation.
Ms. Innocent revealed that AFI, in collaboration with NDLEA, NAFDAC and the Nigeria Police Force, regularly visits schools to educate students on the dangers of substance abuse.
“We do not stop at awareness alone. We create ambassadors in schools who continue preaching the message even after we leave. These ambassadors help identify and report cases of drug abuse among their peers,” she explained.
According to her, AFI has established anti-drug ambassadors in more than 30 schools across Anambra, Abuja and Lagos States.
Innocent narrated a moving experience during a hospital visit where she encountered a young boy whose health had been severely damaged by drug abuse.
“We saw a young boy in a hospital who was very weak. The doctor told us he had abused drugs. That is someone who could become a governor tomorrow, but today he is in a hospital bed because of drug abuse,” she said.
She urged young people to embrace healthy lifestyles, saying: “Say yes to a healthier life and say no to drug abuse because we are the future of tomorrow.”
The ambassador also called on Nigerians to support AFI’s anti-drug initiatives through partnerships, donations and volunteerism.
“There is only so much we can do as an organisation. We need support and donations to help us save more lives and reach more young people,” she said.
Participants at the briefing, including pageant contestants and youth representatives, pledged their commitment to advancing the campaign through social media advocacy, mentorship programmes, community engagements and peer education initiatives.
One of the contestants proposed the creation of digital platforms and mentorship programmes to address depression and other challenges that often push young people toward substance abuse.
The event formed part of AFI’s ongoing efforts to mobilise young Nigerians against drug abuse and promote a safer, healthier and more productive society.
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